Bangladesh empowers mobile courts to stop eve teasing

Dhaka, Nov.11 (ANI): Mobile courts in Bangladesh have been empowered to prosecute people accused of sexually harassing women, or eve teasing, officials have said.

According to the BBC, anyone convicted of sexual harassment or stalking of women will face a year in jail or a fine of about 70 dollars or both.

The government's move follows increasing incidents of sexual harassment and stalking of women.

Earlier, mobile courts dealt with less serious crimes, such as traffic violations and hoarding.

"The idea behind the move is for a speedy trial in cases of sexual harassment and stalking," the BBC quoted Bangladesh Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, as saying.

Young women often face verbal abuse and taunts in Bangladesh, and sometimes stalked by colleagues at school or other young men. Some young women, unable to bear the repeated insults, have even gone so far as to commit suicide.

Usually, it takes weeks before these cases can be heard in a normal criminal court and the conviction rate is said to be very low. (ANI)